She didn’t finish the sentence. Didn’t know how to. Just pressed closer, the carved moth clutched tight in her fist.
His face relaxed. Just a fraction.
He drew her closer, his chin resting lightly on her head. She let herself stay there, listening to his steady breathing, pretending—just for tonight—that this was enough.
She knew better.
She stayed anyway.
Chapter Thirteen
Delaney
Maelichadn’tsaidmuchthis morning.
It was Christmas, and it hadn’t felt very fucking merry. Not that she was surprised.
He’d been staring at that weird alien watch thing on his wrist for the past ten minutes. Delaney frowned, sipping her coffee. He hadn’t touched his pancakes, and they were much more reindeer-shaped this time.
“What’s up?” she asked, tilting her head.
Maelic blinked. “The ceiling?”
She snorted. He looked genuinely perplexed but shook his head before she could explain.
The device chirped. Maelic stiffened.
“Katan was able to connect with me.”
Delaney furrowed her brow. “I thought you would have to connect through the escape pod?”
“This is not the same as direct communication. It is something we only utilize during an emergency.” He looked insanely troubled. Her heart picked up.
But his ship was still broken. He couldn’t actually leave.
She felt awful for being a little pleased by it.
Maelic’s face hardened. He took a breath and stood.
“I have to reach out for a connection. I…”
“What are you talking about? You can’t.”
“Del, I…” He paused. “The escape pod’s communication system has been functional for nearly this entire time. I have been unable to send out the signal, but not because it was unoperational.”
Delaney shook her head, not getting it.
“That doesn’t make sense, Maelic.” She stood too, her hands resting on the table. “You said you couldn’t get it to work.”
“I said that I wasnot ableto.”
“Okay, well here on Earth,” she clenched her fists, something sparking in her, “that means you lied. Why would you do that?”
“I did not lie. I just… was not as thoroughly honest as I could have been.” His jaw tightened. “I did not want to leave you here.”
Something snapped in Delaney. Her jaw set.
“Listen, I get that you think I’m your mate or that I’m so fucking pathetic that you need to stick around, but—”
